City Manager Disappointed by Sales Talk

Anaheim City Manager James D. Ruth said Monday he was “disappointed” to hear the company he considered the “ideal owner” for the Angels and Mighty Ducks might sell the city’s two professional sports teams.

Walt Disney Co. Chairman Michael Eisner suggested Monday that the company bought the Angels in 1996 in part out of fear co-owner Jackie Autry might sell to a party who would move the team. In Disney, Ruth--and Autry--believed the Angels had found a buyer so tied to Anaheim that the team never would leave town.

Although sources inside and outside Disney confirmed sale deliberations more than a week ago, Ruth said he did not anticipate hearing from Disney until the company either sold the teams or publicly announced a desire to sell.

“We have not had any discussions with Disney whatsoever,” Ruth said. “If and when they decide that they’re going to sell, I’m sure they’ll share it with us.”

Ruth negotiated the deal that, despite opposition from two of five City Council members, provided $30 million in city funds as part of Disney’s $118-million renovation of Anaheim Stadium, now Edison Field.

“We felt they were an ideal owner,” Ruth said. “Would we be disappointed to see them sell the franchises? Absolutely. Would we work with the new owners? Certainly.

“Disney does so many things well, with all their marketing and business expertise. That’s going to be difficult to match. It’s not impossible, but it’s difficult.”

Disney plans to insist that potential buyers keep the teams in Anaheim. Disney can transfer its Edison Field and Arrowhead Pond agreements without the approval of the city, so long as the respective leagues--Major League Baseball for the Angels and the National Hockey League for the Ducks--approve any sale.

The Edison Field agreement obligates the Angels to play there through 2029, with a one-time escape clause in 2016.

The Arrowhead Pond agreement extends through 2023. The Ducks, however, can leave at any time by giving two years’ notice. The agreement forbids the team from moving within Orange, Los Angeles or Riverside counties, but the team is specifically permitted to move to San Diego County. While that county has long coveted an NHL franchise, there is no comparable arena there and no commitment to build one.

If the Angels are sold, the name on the stadium would remain Edison International Field of Anaheim unless Edison is bought out of or cancels its 20-year “naming rights” contract, which has 18 years to run, according to Edison’s vice president for corporate communications, Thomas Higgins.

Times staff writer E. Scott Reckard contributed to this report.